A69234:904
Lectures upon the four first chapters of the prophecy of Hosea Wherein the text…Lectures vpon the foure first chapters of the prophecie of Hosea Wherein the text…
Lectures upon the four first chapters of the prophecy of Hosea Wherein the text is expounded and cleared, and such profitable instructions observed, and applied, as naturally arise out of this holy Scripture, and are fit for these times. By John Downame Bachelor in Divinity, and preacher of Gods word.Lectures vpon the foure first chapters of the prophecie of Hosea Wherein the text is exponded and cleered, and such profitable instructions obserued, and applied, as naturally arise out of this holie Scripture, and are fit for these times. By Iohn Dovvname Bacheler in Diuinitie, and preacher of Gods word.
London: printed by Felix Kyngston and T. East for William Welby, 1608
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
And so much for the meaning of this first Verse: the 1doctrines which are to be observed are these. First, we here learn that if Gods Prophets have long contended with a people in Gods cause, as his advocates, and do not prevail with them, by causing them to humble themselves before him by true repentance, then the Lord will take his cause into his own hands, and ceasing to contend with them any longer by his word and spirit, will prosecute his controversy with them by afflictions and punishments; and if having often sent his Ambassadors with reasonable conditions of peace, men neglect them, and refuse to hearken unto their embassy, then will this powerful king march against them with an army of his judgements, and never cease encountering them with his plagues, till he hath either humbled or destroyed them. And this appeareth in this place, as also Gen. 6. 3. In the example of the Jews, led captive into Babylon, 2and afterwards destroyed by the Romans. So that God first dealeth with men by his word; and then if this will not prevail, by his chastisements; and lastly, if these will not reform them, by his destroying plagues and punishments. Would we therefore escape his corrections? then let us suffer our selves to be reformed by his word: would we not be destroyed by his fearful punishments? then let us labour to profit by his gentle chastisements.
And so much for the meaning of this first Verse: the 1doctrines which are to be obserued are these. First, we here learne that if Gods Prophets haue long contended vvith a people in Gods cause, as his aduocates, and doe not preuaile with them, by causing them to humble themselues before him by true repentance, then the Lord will take his cause into his owne hands, and ceasing to contend with them any longer by his word and spirit, will prosecute his controuersie with them by afflictions and punishments; and if hauing often sent his Ambassadours with reasonable conditions of peace, men neglect them, and refuse to hearken vnto their ambassage, then will this powerfull king march against them with an armie of his judgements, and neuer cease encountring them with his plagues, till he hath eyther humbled or destroyed them. And this appeareth in this place, as also